Roundabout amusement device



July 27v, 1955 wrezmm HUIINDPZBHUT JWMUEEMEN'T IDEWICJE :3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. JAMES E. TIEMAN ATTOR N EYS J. E. TIEMAN July 27, 1965 I ROUNDABOUTAMUSEEENT DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 21, 1962 JAMES E. TIEMAN July 27, 1965 TIEMAN 3,197,202

BOUNDABOUT AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed; NOV. 21, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. IO.

INVENTOR. JAMES E.TIEMAN BY W? ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,197,262 RGUNDABOUT AMUSEMENT DEVICE domes E. Tieman, 543 S. Home Sta, Mesa, Ariz. Filed Nov. 21, 1962, Ser. No. 239,246 3 Claims. (Cl. 272-33) The present invention relates to a roundabout amusement device, objects of which are to provide a passengercarrying car or body, movable over the ground or other suitable surface, which may be passenger-operated and movable about a fixed axis to permit movement in a complete circle either clockwise or counterclockwise; to provide a passenger-carrying car or body which may be skeltonized to permit the passengers to view the adjacent area being traversed by the car and, correspondingly, to permit spectators to view the passengers as the car moves in its circular path; to provide a surface-movable car adapted for the reception of one or more passengers, each of which is secured in the car to prevent passenger displacement during rotation of the car; to provide a relatively inexpensive roundabout passenger-carrying amusement device which can be quickly and inexpensively installed in a yard, playground or the like, outdoors, or on a floor for indoor operation.

Other objects will be manifest from the following description of the present preferred forms of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the amusement device of the present invention, illustrating it use;

FLG. 2 is a top plan view of the same, alternate positions thereof being illustrated in dotted lines;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the same;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of PEG. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side fragmentary elevational view of the amusement device of the present invention, taken at the locus of the swivelling components thereof, portions thereof being broken away to disclose details of construction;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the anchor eye swivel forming a part of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line S$ of FIG. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing in elevation a strap assembly forming a part of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged top plan view of the amusement device of the present invention showing to advantage a foot harness forming a part thereof;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the amusement device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9; and

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the modified amusement device of FIG. 10.

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings, and in particular to the form of invention shown in FIGS. 1-9, the present amusement device generally comprises a skeltonized cone body section 12, the apex of which is swivelly connected to an anchoring stake 13, which is driven into the ground.

Body section 12 includes a rod 14, one terminal of which is formed to provide an eye hook 15, through which stake 13 is passed. Spaced annular members or washers 16 are welded or secured in any other suitable manner at 17 to stake 13, above and below eye hook 15, to limit the vertical movement of the eye, but permitting rotation of the eye about the stake. A cotter pin 18 extends diametrically through stake 13 at a point superjacent upper washer 16 for safety purposes. The free terminal of rod 14 is adapted for engagement with a yoke 19. Yoke 19 includes a central tubular section 20 through which rod ice 14 passes. Retaining washers 21 welded to tubular section 20 at 22 proximate the terminals of tubular section 2t? limit the longitudinal movement of yoke 19 with ,respect to rod 14, but at the same time permit free relative rotational movement. Yoke 19 additionally includes a plurality of tubular members 23 extending outwardly from, and angularly disposed with respect to, an intermediate portion of tubular section 20, members 23 all being inclined at the same angle to the longitudinal axis of tubular section 20. The outer terminal portion of each angular member 23 is adapted to receive a terminal of a tubular member 24, the latter being fixed to the former by nut and bolt means 25 (see FIG. 6). Tubular members 24 are of equal length. The terminals of tubular member 24, remote from yoke 19, are adapted for engagement with a hoop 26.

Hoop 2-6 preferably comprises a plurality of like arcuate tubular segments 27, the particular number of segments preferably corresponding to the number of tubular embers 24. As shown in FIG. 5, segments 27 are joined together by means of arcuate tubular connectors 23', a terminal portion of each of which is adapted for insertion into the end of a segment, the remaining portion of the connector extending into an adjacent segment. Connector 23 thereby spans the joint between the two connected segments. Bolt assemblies 29 and 29' extend through terminal portions of segments 27 and connector 23, assembly 29' also extending through an arcuate extension 24 of tubular member 24. Thisetlects connection of hoop 26 to body section 12.

As shown to advantage in FIGS. 13, 8 and 9, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide a harness 30 for each foot, which harnesses are fixed to hoop 26. Each harness is of like construction and includes a foot support 2 1 which is Welded at 32, 'or secured in any other suitable manner, to hoop segment 27. Opposed strap supporting rings 33 are fixed to the lateral edges of foot support 31 proximate the aft end thereof. A flexible strap 34 having a terminal buckle 35 is fixed to one ring 33 and a flexible strap 36, having spaced perforations 37 along its longitudinal axis, is secured to the other ring. Straps 34 and 36 are drawn across the foot and interengaged in a well known manner. An arcuate heel strap 38, the terminals of which are fixed to an intermediate portion of straps 34 and 36, prevent accidental dis placement of the foot from support 31. Opposed strap supporting rings 33 are also provided at the front extremity of foot support 31. A flexible strap 39 having a buckle 49 is fixed to one ring and a flexible strap 41, having perforations 42 along its longitudinal axis, is secured to the other ring. Fastening of belts 3 2 and 36 and belts 39 and 41 around the foot positively prevent accidental displacement of the foot during operation of the device.

It is also within the contemplation of the present invention to provide hand strap assemblies 43 which are fixed to hoop 26 in opposed relation to foot harnesses 31?. As shown to advantage in MG. 8, each hand strap assembly 43 includes a ring 44 welded to a hoop segment 27 at 45, towhich ring a snap hook 45, including spring actuated closure means 47, is detachably connected. The lower extremity of hook 46 issues into a strap supporting ring 48, from which a pair of straps 4,9 and 50 are suspended. One terminal of each strap is trained through ring 48, the terminals being secured to each other and to the bodies of the straps by suitable means 51. For adjusting each strap assembly to accommodate passengers of varying sizes, the free terminal of strap 49 is provided with a buckle 52 adapted for selective engagement with perforations 5'3 of strap 59.

In erecting the present device, anchoring stake 13 is preferably driven a foot or more into the ground and swivel hook is so located along the length of the stake 5 that the lower peripheral limit of hoop 26 engages the ground and hoop 26 lies in a vertical plane,

In use, the passenger secures his feet in harnesses 30 and grasps strap assemblies 43,, as shown in FIG. 1. By leaning to one side or the other, a rolling action of the hoop is initiated in either clockwise or counterclock wise direction. This, in turn, effects a corresponding rotation of yoke 19 about rod 14 and a pivotal movement of swivel eye hook 15 about stake 13.

In FIGS. 10 and 11, there is illustrated a two-passenger roundabout amusement device which includes the same structure as the one-passenger device illustrated in FIGS. 1-9. Similar parts are, therefore, indentified by like numbers. In addition to the structural arrangement of the one-passenger device, however, there is additionally provided a passenger seat 54 which is preferably located intermediate yoke 19 and hoop 26. Passenger seat 54 includes a seat portion 55, a back portion 56, and a seat belt 57, the latter functioning to hold the passenger on the seat during rotaton of the device. A supporting rod 58, having its terminals fixed in any suitable manner to adjacent tubular sections 24, is secured to the underside of seat portion 55 near the aft end thereof. A second support rod 59, also having its terminals fixed to adjacent tubular sections 2 is fixed to connecting support rods 60, depending from the lower front side of seat 55. A conventional U-shaped foot support 61 is fixed to, and dependent from, support rod 59. It will be noted from FIGS. 10 and 11 that passenger seat 54 is so oriented that both passengers are in upright position contemporaneously, in order to facilitate use of the device.

With the amusement device of the present invention, actuation thereof is effected by the passengers and movement is limited to rotation abouta fixed axis in a complete circle either in clockwise or counterclockwise direction. This controlled rotational movement produces an exhilarating ride for the passengers and, at the same time, by virtue of this control, is safe. The skeletonized structure of the passenger-carrying car permits the passengers to view the area during the cycle of operation and also to permit spectators to view the passengers during movement of the car. The structural arrangement of the present invention, furthermore, readily adapts itself to be economically manufactured and inexpensively installed in any suitable indoor or outdoor location, which device may be readily moved from place to place, if desired.

While I have herein shown preferred forms of the invention, it will be obvious that various changes may be made within the scope of the claims hereto appended.

What is claimed is:

1. A roundabout amusement device comprising a skeleton passenger-carrying body, including a hoop positioned to operate in a vertical plane, the outer periphery of the hoop being engageable with a supporting surface, foot and hand supporting means fixed to the inner periphery of said hoop, an anchoring element secured in spaced relation, to said hoop, swivel means engaged with said anchoring element and rotatable about the latter, a yoke pivotally engaged with said swivel means, and connecting members extending from said yoke engageable with said hoop, to permit a rolling movement of the hoop around said anchoring element.

2. A roundabout amusement device comprising a skeleton passenger-carrying body, including a hoop positioned to operate in a vertical plane, the outer periphery of the hoop being engageable with a supporting surface, foot and hand supporting means fixed to the inner periphery of said hoop, an anchoring element secured in spaced relation, to said hoop, and means connecting the hoop to the anchoring element in a manner to permit orbital movement of the hoop around said element under thrust, by the passenger, on the foot and hand supporting means of the hoop.

3. The roundabout amusement device of claim 2,-in which the means connecting the hoop to the anchoring element is a swiveled yoke in operative connection with the hoop at predetermined intervals.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,283,210 10/18 Kinney 27258 1,466,476 8/23 Mankey 27233 1,676,015 7/28 Feick 272-1 X 3,084,935 4/63 Brown 27233 RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. 

1. A ROUNDABOUT AMUSEMENT DEVICE COMPRISING A SKELETON PASSENGER-CARRYING BODY, INCLUDING A HOOP POSITIONED TO OPERATE IN A VERTICAL PLANE, THE OUTER PERIPHERY OF THE HOOP BEING ENGAGEABLE WITH A SUPPORTING SURFACE, FOOT AND HAND SUPPORTING MEANS FIXED TO THE INNER PERIPHERY OF SAID HOOP, AN ANCHORING ELEMENT SECURED IN SPACED RELATION, TO SAID HOOP, SWIVEL MEANS ENGAGED WIDTH SAID ANCHORING ELEMENT AND ROTATABLE ABOUT THE LATTER, A YOKE PIVOTALLY ENGAGED WITH SAID SWIVEL MEANS, AND CONNECTING MEMBERS EXTENDING FROM SAID YOKE ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID HOOP, TO PERMIT A ROLLING MOVEMENT OF THE HOOP AROUND SAID ANCHORING ELEMENT . 